Is this an M.O.T failure with pictures

[Sheppard000]

The car is a Proton 1.5 GLS on an 'L' plate, it has an M.O.T and expires in March 2009. I have just noticed the steering rack gaitor is split. I am one of those people who buys cars with an M.O.T and if they fail, next time I sell them as scrap.

Does anyone know if this is a failure on an M.O.T?






Thanks for any advice.

[BuzzinBilly]

yes it is a fail but most places shouldnt charge much to do that steering rack gator

[wildoliver]

Absolutely a failure.

BUT....... Easy to fit a new gaiter. Or bodge it and use one of those that you fit with everything in place and superglue up (it does work).

You may even get away with supergluing the gaiter back together, I have before on daily Sh***ers, superglue is like magic on gaiters (even once being used on a new CV boot gaiter that was split down the side with a stanley knife, fitted to the shaft in situ and superglued back together, it lasted about 3 years.

[bertelli_1]

A steering rack boot for a Proton?



Sounds like a fair swap.

[Isoproturon1]

Superglued them before on my old Mk2 Escorts - lasted for ages and got through MOT no problem.

[TonyHetherington]

Superglue it back together - a piece of cake

[That Daddy]

Bodgers its £35 job

[wildoliver]

It's a £30 car :P

[That Daddy]

wildoliver said:

It's a £30 car :P

Fair comment

[TonyHetherington]

[Mr POD]

Had an advisory on one, previously. It's not like it's a CV joint.

10 minute job to fix, £3? part although you end up needing a rod end joint, another £6?

I have a belief that if you can get a reliable car through the MOT for under £300 you should even if the value of the car with MOT is only £100. Saves having to piss around looking at tat.

Wifey's Cavalier can't be worth £300 and It cost £300 to get 12 months ticket (2 decent tyres, 3 wiper arms, some welding, a CV joint, hand brake adjusting, plus the MOT) Okay the tyres were bought 4 weeks before. and only 2 of the wiper blades would have failed.

Quick service this weekend and it's right for another year.

[wildoliver]

Ah but your missing the genius of bangernomics.

Buy banger. £250-500 must have MOT and hopefully tax.

Insure, put petrol in and run.

Evaluate if car is a snotter or a rough diamond.

If snotter run till mot time do a quick pre mot check and if it looks like it will go through with no issues (or just minor jobs) re-MOT.

If not scrap and get back most if not all your original stake plus a year (or so) free driving.

If a rough diamond then tidy up and sell for 2-5 times original stake and either bank the money or buy a better car next time.

[Mr POD]

wildoliver said:

Ah but your missing the genius of bangernomics.

Buy banger. £250-500 must have MOT and hopefully tax.

Insure, put petrol in and run.

Evaluate if car is a snotter or a rough diamond.

If snotter run till mot time do a quick pre mot check and if it looks like it will go through with no issues (or just minor jobs) re-MOT.

If not scrap and get back most if not all your original stake plus a year (or so) free driving.

If a rough diamond then tidy up and sell for 2-5 times original stake and either bank the money or buy a better car next time.

I think i'm in the durable car ownership club. Wifey's cavalier has had 3 owners, The first did 15K in 10 months, the second (her dad)did 15K in 7 years, and she has done 60K in 8 1/2 years. There's a full history (for what it's worth - nothing).
So I look upon repairs as rent. £1 a day seems reasonable.

[bertelli_1]

I can beat that! My missus' Fiesta bought for £70, needed discs & pads for the MOT (£30). That was 3 years ago. Since had several patches welded in (free, DIY), a tyre (£19), wheel bearing (£15), wishbone (£20), wing mirror & indicator (£5 SH) and a choke cable (£13).

Total cost for 3 years motoring £172.

Plus fuel, tax & ins. Her insurance for the 1st year was £720!!

[Sheppard000]

wildoliver said:

Ah but your missing the genius of bangernomics.

Buy banger. £250-500 must have MOT and hopefully tax.

Insure, put petrol in and run.

Evaluate if car is a snotter or a rough diamond.

If snotter run till mot time do a quick pre mot check and if it looks like it will go through with no issues (or just minor jobs) re-MOT.

If not scrap and get back most if not all your original stake plus a year (or so) free driving.

If a rough diamond then tidy up and sell for 2-5 times original stake and either bank the money or buy a better car next time.

Yes you are quite correct, if it has twelve months M.O.T and tax, I buy it. :-)

Thanks to all for the advice.

Gaitor now wrapped in duck tape, I will take a picture for you lot to have a smile at.

[wildoliver]

Bodgetastic!

[Mr2Mike]

Mr POD said:

10 minute job to fix, £3? part although you end up needing a rod end joint, another £6?

Why would you need a new track rod end? You don't even need to remove the track rod end with the stretchy gaiters (though obviously has to be disconnected from steering arm).

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 5th September 14:50

[That Daddy]

Mr2Mike said:

Mr POD said:

10 minute job to fix, £3? part although you end up needing a rod end joint, another £6?

Why would you need a new track rod end? You don't even need to remove the track rod end with the stretchy gaiters (though obviously has to be disconnected from steering arm).

Edited by Mr2Mike on Friday 5th September 14:50

Yep,Quinton Hazell QG1000 is what you need,get a few MOT customers out of trouble with this kit they do another kit with the vent pipe nipple thats often fitted to PAS steering racks also,keep the oil and filter changed on that Mitsubishi(proton fitted)engine and it will run for ages

Edited by That Daddy on Saturday 6th September 12:41

[Sheppard000]

Always use Purolators oil filters.

[wildoliver]

Decent oil is the best advice. Sure there's nothing wrong with purolator filters but if they cost drastically more than a standard one then spend the extra on a good quality oil (not necessarily synth depends how many miles between services your going)